River Length: From its source at Kawishiwi Lake to its mouth at Fall Lake, the river is 75 miles long including 33 miles of distance for the 18 lakes it flows through. The Kawishiwi River drainage covers and area of 1,230 square miles.

Campsites: None

Wildlife Seen on Visit: Bald Eagle, ducks

Last Visited: May 25, 2015

River Elevation: Headwaters at Kawishiwi Lake at 1643 feet. Mouth at Fall Lake at 1319 feet. From Kawishiwi Lake to Square Lake the river drops one foot of elevation from 1643 feet to 1642 feet

Water Clarity: N/A

Routes from Kawishiwi River (between Kawishiwi Lake and Square Lake):
To Kawishiwi Lake: Paddle In
To Square Lake: Paddle In

OVERVIEW

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Kawishiwi River (between Kawishiwi Lake and Square Lake)

Tofte Ranger District

This is the first section of the Kawishiwi River. This river passes through many lakes and winds for 75 miles from its headwaters in Kawishiwi Lake.

The name of this river comes from the Ojibway language. Kawishiwi translates roughly to mean "the river of beaver lodges".

This short section of river between Kawishiwi Lake and Square Lake is relatively shallow. There is little current. The river starts out fairly wide at Kawishiwi Lake and quickly narrows for the rest of the way to Square Lake. Most of the time it is less than 40 feet across. There are a few beaver lodges along this sections, but no beaver dams, at least not during time of last visit. Along this stretch, the banks of the river are covered by marshland.

Expect a fair amount of canoe traffic through this section as all traffic coming to and from Entry Point 37 - Kawishiwi Lake must pass through here unless paddlers are simply spending their entire trip on Kawishiwi Lake.

As you approach Square Lake along this section of the Kawishiwi River, evidence of the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire will become evident just as you make the left turn into Square Lake.

Paddling the Kawishiwi River (between Kawishiwi Lake and Square Lake)

A typical view you will see along the Kawishiwi River between Kawishiwi Lake and Square Lake.

From where the Kawishiwi River leaves Kawishiwi Lake, you paddle the quite stretch towards Square Lake.

A nice day, with partly cloudy skies and very little wind along the Kawishiwi River.

Continuing along the Kawishiwi River betweek Kawishiwi Lake and Square Lake. Eventually your paddling effort gets you to the point where the river enters Square Lake.

You are approaching Square Lake. The river narrows a bit just ahead and makes a sharp left turn into Square Lake. The trees in this area and along the south shore of Square Lake are the last large standings of living trees you will see for the next few miles along this route.